The Dissent and Leave Philosophy

I just read a ranting blog from a person who stated that while it was our first amendment right to express our opinions and views, if we complained at all regarding our country or our way of life, then we could celebrate another right that's allowed in this country and leave.

How I just love, I mean, loathe that philosophy, because, well, it makes no sense to me. So, let me get this straight, we should all celebrate our first amendment rights of free speech, but, if we disagree with anything this person has to say, we should leave the country and live elsewhere? Hmmm.

What is the point of having free speech if we're not allowed to disagree? It's not free then, is it? It'd definitely come at a price! If a person is a strong advocate of the death penalty, while I may strongly disagree with their opinion, I'm not going to say, "You know, you can just leave!" That's their opinion and they have every right to express that. If they're Jewish or Muslim and they celebrate a holiday other than Christmas, does that mean they should leave? If I live in Nebraska and don't watch Husker games every week, should I be kicked out of this state? If a family member of mine and I have much different political beliefs, should the family hold a vote on which one of us to kick out? If my mother and I have a difference in opinion, should she disown me and I can go off to find myself another family?

If we each have first amendment rights, we should be allowed to express them, even if we're at odds with the majority of the country. It's our right. If we only had one voice in this country, then, as Edward R. Murrow put it, we would have lost the heart and soul of what makes America the country that it is.